CATCH-UP ON THE RANGERS: MONDAY'S GAME VS. OAKLAND

Sorry, been busy at work so I am a bit behind on some blog recaps.

Kevin Millwood allowed one unearned run in seven innings, and he topped the 180-inning barrier to secure the fifth year in his contract in the Rangers' 10-3 victory. The right-hander will pitch next season for $12 million.

The beleaguered Rangers offense banged out 15 hits and reached double-digits for the 13th time this season. They had scored only nine runs in their previous seven games. Three players -- David Murphy, Julio Borbon and Hank Blalock each had three hits and drove in two runs.

Back to Millwood, who said that some mechanical adjustments since his last start helped him locate his fastball against Oakland. He hadn't had success with his heater in many of his past five starts, and that helped him build a 7.62 ERA in that stretch.

But on Monday he looked like the Millwood who should have been an All-Star and the pitcher who many believe was the Rangers' MVP of the first half. The stark difference between the first-half Millwood and second-half Millwood has turned people against him, even though his overall numbers (11-10, 3.79 ERA) are pretty darn good.

Some say he has run out of gas when the Rangers needed him most. But if he hadn't gone seven, eight or nine innings in the vast majority of his first-half starts, the Rangers wouldn't have been in a position to need him -- or any other starter -- in August and September. After watching him pitch the previous two seasons, there's a large chunk of the fan base and probably some within the organization who would have gladly taken 11-10/3.79 at the beginning of the year.

It remains the contention here that Millwood on the staff for 2010 is a good thing. Without him, the veteran of the rotation would be Brandon McCarthy. Nothing against McCarthy, but he hasn't had anywhere near the experiences Millwood has had in his career. The perceived lack of second-half stamina can be addressed during a second straight off-season in which he again gets in shape for a new season. A lot of positives came out of the start tonight heading into next season.

Story courtesy of www.dallasnews.com